OT Insurance Laugh

[Muse-Inc]

So my mini-COBRA State continuing insurance was supposed to end last Dec but my employer extended it as the GA legislature said they'd extend the time period if COBRA was extended but the legislation wording's odd so no one's really sure what it means given that COBRA was extended. Anyway, here's the laugh part. So I'm on unemployment which for the US averages like $300/week. I get a letter from my insurance today saying I can buy a continuing plan after I am terminated from my former employer's group plan -- their $2500 deductible plan costs $1624/month...is this insane or what? Do they really think anyone on unemployment can buy this plan? Gotta laugh 'cause crying just makes your makeup run and your nose red. I repeat, our healthcare system is not working for everyone.

[Judy R]

What a joke! YIKES!!!! Who on earth could afford that??? Did ya stick that letter in the shredder???

[JohnBFisher]

... Gotta laugh 'cause crying just makes your makeup run and your nose red. ...

Shhhhh! Don't tell anyone that it'll make my makeup run! I hoping the guys won't find out!

Yeah, I'm so hoping that out healthcare system will get better. It's definitely not working for many, many people right now.

[Section1]

I know I couldn't afford it, even when working much less if unemployed. Hope thing get better for you soon.

[CorwinBrown]

That is really the Joke. I think that the Health System needs to be approved. Certain steps shall be taken by the Government for these Insurance Companies who are making such Insurance Laugh.

[CorwinBrown]

That is really the Joke. I think that the Health System needs to be approved. Certain steps shall be taken by the Government for these Insurance Companies who are making such Insurance Laugh.

[Goofproof]

So my mini-COBRA State continuing insurance was supposed to end last Dec but my employer extended it as the GA legislature said they'd extend the time period if COBRA was extended but the legislation wording's odd so no one's really sure what it means given that COBRA was extended. Anyway, here's the laugh part. So I'm on unemployment which for the US averages like $300/week. I get a letter from my insurance today saying I can buy a continuing plan after I am terminated from my former employer's group plan -- their $2500 deductible plan costs $1624/month...is this insane or what? Do they really think anyone on unemployment can buy this plan? Gotta laugh 'cause crying just makes your makeup run and your nose red. I repeat, our healthcare system is not working for everyone.

Times change but the ratio stays close to the same, I went through this with a wife that needed long term treatment in 1982, still does. My ins carried for one year after my lay off, Cobra continued for 18 months after that at almost $900 a month 1982 dollars, I had to keep it in force because the medical bills were still higher than the Cobra. Life isn't a picnic that's for sure. You have to plan ahead and make changes. Things do get better if we make them. It took five years before I got my job back, even then more lay offs were in the future, but with planning we suvive. I agree it's insane, but sometimes it is one answer. The best thing is to stay healthy. Jim

[fadedgirl]

COBRA insurance is and always has been astronomical.

I seem to remember that if you apply for another health insurance policy while on COBRA, that they have to accept you/cannot deny you due to a pre-existing condition. So you may want to check into that if you are concerned about such things. Most people can get cheaper insurance on their own. I'm not sure if this varies by state.

I used to know all this stuff readily, then apnea ate my brain.

[Raj]

My wife and I have a friend, a tax professional, who handles our taxes every year (well, he doesn't handle the paying part) -- a necessity for us because our tax situation is insanely complicated. This friend uses professional software for the purpose and whenever he inputs the amount we pay for health insurance, a screen prompt appears: "That seems high, are you sure the amount is correct?" And we're paying a "mere" $1,200 per month, an amount I consider more than sufficiently punitive. I'd say $1,600 falls into the category of cruel and unusual punishment.

[roster]

Certain steps shall be taken by the Government for these Insurance Companies who are making such Insurance Laugh.

In reality the "mini Cobra" that Muse speaks of is the creation of the Georgia legislature. Many states have a similar program, including North Carolina where the rates are about the same as in Georgia. Of course Cobra itself is a Federally legislated program and is expensive.

So it was governments that dreamed up and fostered these insurance plans and rates. North Carolina's rates were intentionally set very high by the legislature and I supect the same is true in Georgia.

So do we expect the people who created these "laughable" programs to do something proper? The best the governments could do is get out of the way and open the markets.

[DreamStalker]

Ahhrrrrrck!

Well Muse, As Jim said, the best thing to do is to stay healthy and hope that your luck takes care of traumatic accidents and aggressive car doors.

You seem to have the stay healthy part under control. So just keep an eye for car doors and you will get through.

[SnoresLikeWalrus]

Write your representatives:

no preexisting condition clauses

affordable policies (open up the markets across states lines); people will pay, but make it so it's reasonable.

no oppressive, massive bureaucracy (why substitute the govt for the health insurance companies? won't improve things)

there was a woman on the news yesterday who is advertising to get anyone with health insurance to marry her so she can have insurance. she has a genetic issue with bacteria and has to take 19 different drugs.

and how about more jobs so people can work? there's only so far government jobs will go.

[Muse-Inc]

Write your representatives...

I have...multiple times, not an issue for them. Mine follow the Republican party line and see no reason to change that support.

I worked for an employer with fewer than 20 employees, thus the company does not fall under the Federal COBRA mandate. The State of Georgia, like other States, has a continuing insurance law that says that my former employer must offer me continuing medical insurance for, as currently written, 9 months; the mandate also states that it must match the Federal COBRA subsidy & any changes in those amts. My 9 months ended. I still don't have a job. Georgia's unemployment is still above the national average. The plan I quoted is from my former insurance company, one of the very large insurance companies. Gee, any single guys wanna marry me so I can be covered under their insurance?

[Goofproof]

Write your representatives...

I have...multiple times, not an issue for them. Mine follow the Republican party line and see no reason to change that support.

I worked for an employer with fewer than 20 employees, thus the company does not fall under the Federal COBRA mandate. The State of Georgia, like other States, has a continuing insurance law that says that my former employer must offer me continuing medical insurance for, as currently written, 9 months; the mandate also states that it must match the Federal COBRA subsidy & any changes in those amts. My 9 months ended. I still don't have a job. Georgia's unemployment is still above the national average. The plan I quoted is from my former insurance company, one of the very large insurance companies. Gee, any single guys wanna marry me so I can be covered under their insurance?

I have good ins, but i'm sure the wife would object. Jim

[Muse-Inc]

...any single guys wanna marry me so I can be covered under their insurance?

I have good ins, but i'm sure the wife would object. Jim

Thanks for the laugh!